Texas Tech Today

Applications will be accepted through Aug. 31.

President Lawrence Schovanec

Kaley Daniel was already a leader when she was accepted into the President's Leadership Institute (PLI) last year. As the director of communications and marketing for Texas Tech University Libraries, she was interested in the opportunity to learn about strategic planning and budget
management while acquiring knowledge about leadership and team building.

"I went in hoping to pick up a handful of takeaways I could apply to my leadership
style and, admittedly, thinking it would be a shining addition to my resume," Daniel
said. "I left the institute as a changed leader – it's not my resume I'm concerned
about adding to, but the resumes of those I have the opportunity to lead."

Daniel is just one of 84 Texas Tech faculty and staff members who have graduated from
the program, but her experience of gaining more than she expected has been shared
by countless others.

"Effective leadership at all levels is an essential trait of any organization, especially
one with the size and complexity of Texas Tech University," said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech president. "These initiatives that promote the development of leadership
skills not only enhance personal opportunities for our staff and faculty, but strengthen
the entire university."

"The President's Leadership Institute provides faculty and staff with an opportunity
to learn more about themselves, others they work with and how they can work together
to become better leaders, whether in current or aspirational positions," Pike said.
"Texas Tech possesses many solid leaders across campus, and this institute is designed
to assist in expanding those leadership characteristics and guiding others who are
interested in developing stronger leadership skills.

"The institute will also provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to interactively
learn more about leadership styles, management tools and higher education administrative
operations. They can then take these tools back and implement them in their own departments
to strengthen them as well as Texas Tech."

The institute involves one day of instruction and leadership training each month from
October through March. Topics include the importance of personal leadership, high-performance
leadership, leadership for inclusivity, finances and strategic planning mission and
values. Well-known leaders also will share with institute participants the paths that
led them into leadership positions. And as PLI operations move under Human Resources this year, a move that ties it more closely to the Office of the President, a series of lunch-and-learn sessions will be implemented for continued leadership
development of the institute's alumni.

"It is our goal for PLI participants and alumni to achieve leadership excellence and
to continue with leadership development after they graduate from the program," said
Jodie Billingsley, assistant vice president for Human Resources. "I believe these
changes align with the revised mission of the program, which is to empower faculty
and staff with a leadership foundation for the next century guided by the principles
of engagement, innovation, inclusiveness and impact.

"The President's Leadership Institute is very fortunate to have David Miller, a Texas
Tech alumnus and well-known leadership coach, continue to lead and facilitate the
program. David uses a workshop-style approach combined with his expertise of building
successful teams and strategic planning to lead participants in achieving personal
excellence."

Daniel said she is honored and proud to be a PLI graduate and would readily recommend
the experience to anyone interested in developing their leadership skills, because
both the individual and the university benefit.

"I think Texas Tech gains more well-rounded faculty and staff leaders while broadening
the team – from one new institute classmate to the next – which helps our students
through their academic careers and sees them to graduation," she said. "What I didn't
realize going into the institute was the potential for networking and learning about
what other people do in departments across campus. I gained a whole new diverse network
of contacts that I know I can reach out to for anything. Knowing people on campus
is an invaluable advantage."

Applications for this year's class will be accepted online through Aug. 31.

The Office of the President is committed to enhancing Texas Tech University's presence as a top tier national
public research university through efforts that promote even greater levels of student
success, academic quality and reputation, research and creative activities, and outreach
dimensions.

A new era of excellence is dawning as Texas Tech University achieves the Tier One designation. As of 2016, Texas Tech is listed among the nation's top doctoral universities in the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education. Of the 115 universities listed in the Highest Research Activity category, Texas Tech
is one of 81 public institutions in the top tier.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment
to attracting and retaining quality students. The university strives to foster an
environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large
enough to provide the best in facilities and academics, but small enough to focus
on each student individually.

Quality students need a top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly
revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service.